BC Economic Fundamentals 2008-07

[joeiannuzzi]

Investors asked to send money

After laying off most of its employees and cancelling services to its customers, the president of WebNet Converged Wireless Network Ltd. is asking investors to send money to help the company with a "cash crunch."

"You can help us save the company and investments," president and CEO Gregory Carrington wrote in a four-page letter sent to investors on Tuesday -- the day The Province first reported the Abbotsford-based company had laid off more than 100 workers without notice.

http://www.canada.com/theprovince/news/sto...dd-7f0ebbf00996

 

[joeiannuzzi]

$231 million will improve highways

The province`s highway system will get a $231-million facelift thanks to money contributed from the provincial and federal governments.

Premier Gordon Campbell and federal Minister of Public Safety Stockwell Day announced Thursday that the first project funded will be a nine-kilometre four-lane highway between Winfield and Oyama, north of Kelowna.

The new $77.9-million road will be built west of the existing two-lane section of Highway 97.

http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/we...1b-aa72d1fea044

 

[joeiannuzzi]

Suncor`s coke solution? Ahoy, Port Alberta

PRINCE RUPERT -- The massive pyramids of coal on Prince Rupert`s Ridley Island are anonymous, but one has a story to tell.

The coal pile in question belongs to oil sands giant Suncor Energy Inc., which is already shipping a half-million tonnes a year through Prince Rupert to Asian and Mexican ports. Suncor hasn`t decided to branch out into the coal mining business. The coal - to be more precise, petroleum coke - comes from its upgrading operations in Fort McMurray, Alta.

Although it looks and feels like coal, petroleum coke is literally the dregs of the (oil) barrel, the leftovers after crude oil and other liquids have been extracted from gooey bitumen. Until recently, petroleum coke has been something only a step above industrial waste: worth little, but a potentially big environmental headache for oil sands firms that are far from any sizable market.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/sto...iness/Prairies/

 

[joeiannuzzi]

Illegal garbage growing problem

City bylaw enforcement officers are being kept busy with calls about piles of garbage illegally being dumped around the city.
So far this year, they`ve responded to about 80 complaints, according to bylaw services manager Ken Craig.
Many complaints involve grass clippings and other types of yard waste, but also a fair share of household junk, such as old computers and unwanted clothing.

http://www.princegeorgecitizen.com/2008072...ng-problem.html

 

[joeiannuzzi]

City OKs Roundhouse development

A new chapter was written early yesterday for the historic railway roundhouse site in Victoria`s Vic West neighbourhood.

Victoria city council OK`d far-reaching development plans for the brownfield site that will save one of Canada`s last railway roundhouses and a railway corridor in exchange for the right to build a 180-unit hotel, 460-unit condominium and a suite of retail services on the 4.25-hectare site.

http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonis...59-587efa4ad6ff

 

[joeiannuzzi]

B.C. homeowners turning on to solar-powered hot water

The provincial government has invested $5 million in a new program that could quite literally drag the province out of the Dark Ages when it comes to solar power.

The investment, announced last week in Dawson Creek, will fund SolarBC -- a program designed to stimulate the use of solar power for hot-water heating in homes and institutions.

And it`s about time, according to one local business which specializes in installing solar hot-water heating systems.

http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonis...bd-2322b41e27fb

 

[joeiannuzzi]

Housing affordability issues arise in Oak Bay

A proposed commercial/residential development in Estevan Village has sparked a philosophical debate about rental units in Oak Bay, a municipality more known for high-priced homes than affordable housing. The discussion has developers and politicians searching for innovative ways to provide a mix of commercial, condo strata units and rental apartments in the development.

"I think that where you can, you should protect rental properties as much as possible," said Oak Bay Mayor Christopher Causton. "They add diversity to any municipality, especially in Oak Bay."

http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonis...12-4df87404d0ec

 

[joeiannuzzi]

Historic land deal protects species in southeast B.C.

The largest private land acquisition for conservation purposes in Canadian history will save 550 square kilometres of Interior rainforest in the Selkirk Mountains dubbed "Darkwoods."

Federal Environment Minister John Baird joined Nature Conservancy of Canada president John Lounds yesterday to jointly announce the deal in Vancouver.

"This land is a significant investment in Canada`s natural legacy," said Baird. "I have always thought British Columbia is one of the most beautiful places on the planet, and Darkwoods is a treasure in that crown."

http://www.canada.com/theprovince/news/sto...2b-97d1bbb8552f

 

[joeiannuzzi]

Competing with Calgary: A tale of two cities

CALGARY - This city`s magnificent strength is splayed out for all to see when you step onto the observation deck of the Calgary Tower -- a 40-year-old, 191-metre landmark on the city`s skyline. But so is its significant weakness.

Calgary`s strength is the small but dense forest of construction cranes and office towers that you see just to your left as you step off the elevator.

These towers are nearly all new, and chock-a-block with workers who, if they aren`t one of the bosses in a fancy office, are apt to be shoe-horned two or three to a cubicle. For this is the pulsing heart of the most dynamic business centre in Canada, one that is starting to find an increasing role on the world stage.

http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/bu...ea-37bcc21f3060

 

[joeiannuzzi]

Local condominium pioneer moves into a different market

Long before condominiums became a local commodity, one Vancouver developer-builder was a leader in the multi-family housing business, constantly breaking new ground and launching new trends with landmark locations, innovative homes designs and memorable marketing campaigns.

Andre Molnar was the first to be dubbed Vancouver`s "condo king" in the late 1980s. Today, Molnar is still a real estate pioneer, only in a different market south of the border.

The condominium and townhouse projects Molnar built over 30 years in the business are home today to many Lower Mainland residents from Vancouver`s West End to Tsawwassen`s town centre and from Coquitlam to Shaughnessy. But Molnar is no longer the condo king in these parts. Instead, the crown has been passed to a marketing whiz, Bob Rennie, rather than an actual developer-builder.

http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/we...1b-bcb076d60e2f

 

[joeiannuzzi]

Sicamous evolving beyond houseboating

Located between Mara and Shuswap lakes, Sicamous has happily marketed itself as the Houseboating Capital of Canada, boasting one of the largest collections of houseboats in the world.

The area`s accessibility -- a five-hour drive from both Vancouver and Calgary -- has made it a favourite summer-holiday destination for B.C.`s nearest neighbours for many years.

Lately Sicamous is evolving into more that just a great place to launch a houseboat. Residents of both B.C. and Alberta are now beginning to discover and appreciate this year-round recreational playground.

http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/st...82-23f58a0c3c18

 

[joeiannuzzi]

Ramped-up port making waves on the world stage

With the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles facing problems with expansion of their container terminal operations, the future of Prince Rupert`s Fairview Container Terminal continues to look bright.

The addition of a second weekly COSCO ship last month is proving the reliability of the intermodal container delivery network from the port of Prince Rupert into the U.S. Add to that the growing demand of shippers for an alternate corridor and the skyrocketing price of fuel, and the rainy North Coast is looking better than ever to shipping companies worldwide.

Howard Finkel, executive vice president for trade at COSCO Container Lines Americas Inc., said in a recent Journal of Commerce article that the system of uninterrupted rail movement and delay-free customs clearance for the 80 per cent of containers bound for the U.S. has worked almost flawlessly.

http://www.canada.com/cityguides/princerup...93-a8667a700bc4

 

[joeiannuzzi]

Province looking to get fish industry accredited

The Ministry of Environment announced yesterday that it will be contributing funding to help British Columbia`s commercial fisheries attain an international stamp of sustainability.

Environment Ministry Barry Penner said a $100,000 commitment from the provincial government will help B.C.`s commercial fisheries to obtain eco-certification from the London-based Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), a process that assesses the sustainability of commercial fisheries against an internationally recognized standard.

The MSC certification is becoming more important as major retailers and seafood processors in countries such as the United States, European Union and Japan are increasingly demanding the sustainability stamp of approval.

http://www.canada.com/cityguides/princerup...65-f1e9a5d6a9cf

 

[joeiannuzzi]

New Cancer Facility to Benefit Peace Region

Cancer patients living in the Peace Region will soon benefit from a new $ 100m facility to be built in Northern BC. The joint announcement by the Province, reps from Northern Health, and the BC Cancer Agency was made last week in Prince George. Association Vice President of Cancer Care Fiona Bees says the facility is designed to accommodate the needs of patients in remote communities such as Fort St. John, and Dawson Creek.

http://www.cjdccountry.com/node/761325

 

[joeiannuzzi]

Preparing for take off on airport discussions

As Village of Pemberton Council members prepare for a serious discussion of the recently released Pemberton Airport Project Definition Report, the question of how the community feels about an expanded airport is taking centre stage. The 162-page report puts forward a comprehensive discussion of the possibilities for airport expansion, with the goal of benefiting the community and growing in alignment with the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District`s principles.

http://www.whistlerquestion.com/madison/WQ...E1?OpenDocument

 

[joeiannuzzi]

Multiplex costs up

DAWSON CREEK – The Multiplex is again claiming taxpayer dollars. Controversy has dogged the project from the start with objections to the cost, a management deal that fell through, changes in financing, delays in opening, and last week, council released the information that the city had agreed to an additional $1.95 million in a private session of council. "What`s important is that there will be no impact on taxes," said Dawson Creek deputy chief administrator Greg Dobrowalski.

The newest expense will be paid out of surplus this year but next year it will have to be budgeted for. "I know that council is aware and are making decisions that need to be made but I do see this as that bump year where we get this stuff done and get it up and operating," said Mayor Calvin Kruk. Residents already unhappy with escalating costs will once again be asking why, particularly when the facility has already cost taxpayers $54 million - double the original estimate. "We want to ensure the success of the facility as a whole," said Kruk. "We need to be a little patient to see it in successful operation." When Global Spectrum agreed to a management deal with the city last June, they reserved the right to have input into the design of both kitchens and seating, although vice-president of operations Mike Ahearn told council then that he didn`t anticipate any major changes.

http://www.northeastnews.ca/index.php?opti...0&Itemid=48

 

[joeiannuzzi]

City receives plans for demolition of Fort Hotel

FORT ST. JOHN – Plans are moving forward for the demolition of the Fort Hotel in Fort St. John. The once-proud old hotel at 100 Avenue and 100 Street was declared a nuisance property by city council, who asked the owner to send a demolition plan to the city within 30 days.

The demolition plan was received on July 11. "The plan that`s submitted is a rough sketch. There are some questions that we have to go forward about this project," said director of protective services Jim Rogers.

The questions include concerns over plans to leave standing a back part of the building facing onto the alley, which wasn`t part of the original plan to totally demolish the building.

http://www.northeastnews.ca/index.php?opti...9&Itemid=48

 

[joeiannuzzi]

Despite hike, valley hotels still cost less

The average price of a hotel room in Chilliwack and Abbotsford has risen by more than four times than a room in the Metro Vancouver area over the last seven years, but they still rank amongst the lowest in the province, according to recently-released B.C. Stats numbers.

Despite a 42.9 per cent rise in prices from 2000 to 2007, the average hotel room rate in the Chilliwack/Abbotsford communities was just $88 in 2007.

http://www.canada.com/abbotsfordtimes/news...b9-063051291435

 

[joeiannuzzi]

WebNet cuts back services

Around 100 employees are out of work after a wireless Internet company in Abbotsford decided to cancel some of it`s services.

WebNet Global Communications, which created a wireless Internet "hot zone" across the city`s downtown core, recently closed its technical office in Aldergrove and cancelled its high-speed Internet connection and Internet phone services.

http://www.canada.com/abbotsfordtimes/news...d2-22a6e2766348

 

[joeiannuzzi]

Mayor meets with Korean officials

A new Korean "friend" could pay off big for Burnaby, Mayor Derek Corrigan says.

Corrigan was scheduled to meet with officials visiting from Hwaseong City, South Korea this week to discuss a possible friendship agreement between the two cities.

The politicians are particularly interested in business, educational and cultural exchange programs.

http://www.canada.com/burnabynow/news/stor...a9-f6c55318bbba